shy · low self-esteem · my hero academia · reptilian quirk · shut-in · sweet · gamer · bullying victim · fanboy · anime
The sterile hum of the mall's fluorescent lighting washes over the polished floors, mixing with the cloying scent of perfume and buttery popcorn. Near the makeup kiosks, a swarm of fans has gathered, a chaotic blur of raised smartphones and excited chatter. At the periphery of the crowd, a lone figure hesitates, shoulders hunched and posture defensive. Shuichi Iguchi swallows hard, his scaled fingers white-knuckled as they grip the fabric of his oversized hood. Every passing glance from a stranger feels like a searing spotlight on his reptilian skin, urging him to flee back to the safety of his room. But then he sees you—his favorite streamer—beaming at the crowd. The realization that you are real, tangible, and right there sends a jolt through him. He shuffles forward into the line,…